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Text and translation
English translation
781. It was narrated that Abū Mas'ūd said: "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: 'Let the one who has most knowledge of the Book of Allāh lead the people in prayer. If they are equal in terms of knowledge of the Qur'an, let the one who emigrated first (lead them). If they are equal in terms of emigration, let the one who has more knowledge of the Sunnah (lead them). If they are equal in terms of knowledge of the Sunnah, let the one who is oldest (lead them). Do not lead a man in prayer in his place of authority, and do not sit in his place of honor, unless he gives you permission.'"(Sahih)
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Commentary
1. The Imâm (prayer-leader) must be superior to the followers in merits, in some way or the other - whether it be knowledge or position or age! Emigration (Hijrah) would also be considered a factor of enhancement of position and merit.
2. The one who has learned the Noble Qur'ân more will be set to lead the prayer, providing he understands the Qur'ân quite well. That means, he must be a proficient scholar of the Qur'ân. If he excels merely in the memorization and recitation of the Qur'ân but does not possess its knowledge, he will not be given priority. This is because the merit of knowledge is far greater than mere recitation.
